Gene Spence was diagnosed with melanoma cancer about 10 years ago. He had a large piece of his lower left leg calf area removed. We were told that close monitoring and screening for the next five years would be necessary to make sure that it is gone. Five years went by and there was no sign of the any melanoma recurrence. We were told that if there is no sign of it after 5 years then no further screening is necessary. We were so sure and happy believing that we had it beat. We went on to lead such full and rich lives. Gene rarely missed a day of work at General Atomics. He loved working there. We went to church, volunteered and became very involved in the boy scouts, with the troop that is associated with our church. We raised two wonderful boys now age 22 and 17. We had no idea that Gene would not live to see his youngest son graduate from high school or his eldest son finish college.
On the morning of June 2nd, 2015, Gene woke up with lower back pain, that quickly turned into severe leg pain and started to make his legs go numb. I dialed 911 and raced to the hospital behind the ambulance. The doctors suspected melanoma from the start. We did not know for sure until the biopsy confirmed the doctor's diagnosis on June 4th.
We were shocked but remained positive that Gene was going to be able to beat it or keep it in remission once again. The treatments seemed to work and we were so hopeful. He regained the ability to walk, after 3 months of re-hahab and went back to work at General Atomics on modified duty. However, after 25 years with the company his last day at work was Friday, January 29th. We tried everything: radiation, chemo, immuno-therapy.
On April 16th Gene Spence lost his battle with cancer. He was a good husband, father, and a hard working faithful man and he was my rock.
A Requiem Mass will be held for Gene at St. Michael's by-the-Sea on Saturday, June 4th at 11am. A memorial reception will follow in Edde Hall.
With grattitude,
Liz Spence
**All monies raised will go to the Spence Family to offset funeral costs and medical expenses.**
On the morning of June 2nd, 2015, Gene woke up with lower back pain, that quickly turned into severe leg pain and started to make his legs go numb. I dialed 911 and raced to the hospital behind the ambulance. The doctors suspected melanoma from the start. We did not know for sure until the biopsy confirmed the doctor's diagnosis on June 4th.
We were shocked but remained positive that Gene was going to be able to beat it or keep it in remission once again. The treatments seemed to work and we were so hopeful. He regained the ability to walk, after 3 months of re-hahab and went back to work at General Atomics on modified duty. However, after 25 years with the company his last day at work was Friday, January 29th. We tried everything: radiation, chemo, immuno-therapy.
On April 16th Gene Spence lost his battle with cancer. He was a good husband, father, and a hard working faithful man and he was my rock.
A Requiem Mass will be held for Gene at St. Michael's by-the-Sea on Saturday, June 4th at 11am. A memorial reception will follow in Edde Hall.
With grattitude,
Liz Spence
**All monies raised will go to the Spence Family to offset funeral costs and medical expenses.**
Organizer and beneficiary
Elizabeth Spence
Beneficiary